Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 at 9:15 pm  |  68 responses

Video: Allen Iverson Says ‘I Want to Play Basketball So Bad’

His love for the game as strong as ever.

As we reported earlier today, Allen Iverson was indeed in attendance at Game 6 of the Celtics-Sixers tilt in Philly tonight. After presenting the game ball, and getting a huge ovation from the fans, Iverson was interviewed from his seat and declared that he still very much wants to hoop in the NBA.

(H/T: @jose3030)

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  • Hart

    Philly…… PLEASE, PLEASE! SIGN THIS GUY.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    It’s confirmed. It’s over.

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    this was so hard to watch. Bring Allen Iverson back to the nba. AI wants to return and his fans want him back on the nba court. Let`s make it happen.

  • Dennisthemenace

    hoping someone signs him. He’s a True Legend.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Still can’t understand why he would put himself through that.
    And he didn’t even want to leave the court.
    He has regrets.
    You can see it in his eyes.

  • Dennisthemenace

    he’s still good for 20 minutes a game. Guy stayed in shape the last two years.

  • Layzie

    One of the greatest ever to play the game. He needs another chance to play. He looks like he never aged. And I love how he still dress how he always dress. No skinny jeans or nerdy glasses. Still the same ol G

  • fruizm

    I love AI!…He’s too real…I mean, he still wears baggy clothes, throwback jerseys like if it was 2004, cornrows.Thats the person he is and he will never change! Nobody is like that anymore.

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    @philo I think AI did this for extra motivation. He aint crazy he knew it would hurt but it was important for him to get that feeling back of being in an nba arena. Plus he has way too much love for his fans (specifically Philly fans) so I dont believe he could say “NO” to the invitation offered by sixers management. AI is a strong cat. He`ll be back with fire in his eyes.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Oh, with all due respect to Iverson, and to those who think Allen Iverson can still play on an NBA level;
    He can’t. The quagmire in Turkey was indicative of such.
    That’s another thing.
    Why in the hell would he let “The Powers That Be” banish him all the way to Turkey?
    I mean, he really let “them” make him go all the way to Turkey.
    Then, today, he puts the icing on “their” cake by torturing himself in front of millions of people.
    What an ass…

  • fruizm

    dammit Layzie!

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @anonymous:
    Maybe you’re right.
    I HOPE that’s what it was.

  • Dennisthemenace

    The Philosopher—it’s not rocket science. GM’s didn’t want to “be the next Chris Wallace” wasting $1 million on him for 3 games. The talent is still there. His shot is still there. Even former NBA players just said on ESPN last week that he could easily be on someone’s roster today. I tend to trust them more than a guy behind a keyboard.

  • Layzie

    Lol @fruizm. I guess we’re the only two who noticed that he still dress the same. You’re right, nobody is like that anymore. Everyone tries to change to fit in but my man A.I. still keep it real for himself.

  • http://Slamonline.com 1982

    Thanks Slam! I was hoping this wOuld be on YouTube or something by tomorrow. Didn’t think I’d see it today since I got home after the game started.

  • Dennisthemenace

    it would be hilarious to see him in the league today wearing his same old pre-dress code outfits while everyone wears the nerd gear and backpacks.

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    cosign layzie & fruizm. AI has always stayed true to himself

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @Dennisthemenace:
    Understood.
    But a general manager wastes money on guys who don’t warrant such wasting of money. They do it all of the time, no?
    Wouldn’t a G.M. be honored to “waste” money on a player of Iverson’s obvious pedigree?
    Also, frequently, people will lament about how other people were “destroying” competition. During a pick – up game at a local Y.M.C.A. And based on those pseudo performances, they say, “oh yeah he can still play!” Players will say that about each other.
    Unless they’re Chuck Barkley. Barkley will tell you if you can or cannot play.
    I used to hear that Gil Arenas would put 50 on a teenager at a gym, hence, he was ready to reclaim past glory. The Same with Jerry Stackhouse.
    I don’t know. I understand that prople want to see Iverson play. Can’t blame them.
    But “he ain’t got it no more”.
    And to be really real, in my opinion, he knows it.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Sorry for the typos…
    And I’m sorry if I come off as a person with negativity. It’s just that he’s bigger than what is being displayed on his watch.
    Bigger than some d@mned league in Turkey.
    Bigger than what’s happened to him.

  • MikeC.

    At this point, I hope AI gets what he wants so all the “shoulda woulda coulda” and the “David Stern blackballed him” BS can cease.

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    watching a little bit of this bos/phi game 6 and I am now realizing that Allen Iverson should definitely be suiting up for an nba team next season. this game is torture and anyone who doesnt think that a healthy, fit AI can do damage in the nba is not an intelligent basketball mind.

  • http://Facebook kisha

    He mad Philly so much money bring him back next year

  • MikeC.

    Small 37 year olds have an easy time breaking down Boston’s defense. That’s why so many do it.

  • archer

    ok…..did everyone forget that he did have a chance to come back and play…but he had a problem coming off the bench, i remember so many of you people talking shit about him saying he’s all washed up and blah blah, and now you people are saying he can still play?, c’mon now…..iverson wants to be a starter but no team wants him to start and he refuse to come off the bench, thats part of the reason why no teams will sign him and thats why he had to go to turkey to play, can’t blame no one but himself for not playing ni the nba right now…..

  • Mya

    For the 100th time , ist not that he can’t play , its his non respecting ways towards mamangment and his drug & liqour sipping habits..You cannot not contnue to tell GM’s and managment to suck your d*** when you don’t feel like doing charity work or other teams events … I remeber when i’d attend Sixesr game in his haydays and i’d always said he needs to learn the impotance of respect, the kid is straight up RUDE AND GHETTO..

    Love him as a player but he’s too damn stubbbrn ..

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    36-year old Allen Iverson is about to turn 37 in June and yet he doesnt look a day over 30. Young at mind. Young at heart. AI is coming back to the nba next season. His hunger to return to the game is too great to not be satisfied.

  • http://nyill.wordpress.com/ O

    You never know what you have until it’s gone. I really hope someone gives this man a one year contract at least. Everyone deserves a shot at redemption.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    If only he were young in body…

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Not to beat a dead horse, but, shout out to Terry Francona.
    He was having NONE of that kind of nonsense.

  • Dennisthemenace

    Just read that during a timeout they put A.I. on the big screen and the place chanted MVP! MVP! MVP!
    Nice to see A.I. get some well earned respect.

  • Becky

    Put me in coach I’m ready to play!!

  • Becky

    Black don’t crack! Let him playyyyy

  • http://slamonline.com dma

    Can you imagine if we put AI in today’s no handchecking/guard-oriented offense of today.

  • http://youtu.be/XcWehLOdWpU hyperactive

    click my name. Watching tonight`s game had to make Iverson feel good because he now has confirmation, visual proof that he can compete in the nba. Allen Iverson would tear it up on the court given real playing time in the right situation (on the right team). (http://youtu.be/m6HE_-9weuM)

  • rob stewart

    @ fruizm, AI was not wearing a throwback, it was a current up to date Louis Williams jersey. And he doesn’t have braids either.

  • Groves

    AI to miami.. or anywhere else

  • http://www.slamonline.com Jay

    He needs to be back in the league and he is in shape the dude is one of the greatest to ever play! First ballot hall of famer and check his twitter picture out David Stern and him TOGETHER! that was strange? Could AI’s blackballing be over? Have they forgave the man? Not a negative put down like usual towards AI by ESPN today? or NBA.com? Is this it… Hopefully he returns.

  • Kidd-Kidd

    The thing that stood out most!!! How he still dresses the same he is a true OG none of this tight clothes that you can fit on a baby, no skinny jeans and all this backpack nerd style. Love it….the realist AI

  • IamYOU

    I just when and IF he comes back to the L,I hope that he’ll be starting.

  • http://bebe310.blogspot.com/ anonymous

    @jay I was waiting for espn analysts to make some subtle yet acidic remark/insult towards AI but it never came. Perhaps, the stage was too big. Perhaps, it would have been to obvious since they already knew countless viewers would be watching then or later on youtube and they wanted to evade even the idea that they are somehow involved in AI`s continued absence from the nba. either way I hope you are right. I hope stern and espn werent just putting on a face. I hope it was sincere. I hope the alleged black balling is officially over. I hope AI returns next season. I want AI back in the nba.

  • Jer dawg

    i echo the AI sentiments. I want to see him playing in NBA again. I hope he doesn’t screw it up again.

  • ttc

    ^^^^
    they know it’s over for AI; i think that’s why they dont say anything negative about him..there’s no reason to do that anymore..although I hope I’m wrong, i’m a big fan of him too..that 2001 Finals run will stay with me forever…

  • http://youtu.be/Xqppw3d0Q8Y djb

    I miss Allen Iverson. He actually went on NBATV and did an interview with the 4-man panel after game 6. click on my name to watch it. I am looking forward to seeing AI back in the nba.

  • Cameron

    Fruizm…He shaved the braids and that was a Lou Williams jersey. His clothes don’t look as baggy as they used to be.But damn, I still wanna see him play. I miss watching him play for the Sixers. I’m a diehard Celtics fan but I always made sure I watched the games when he played the C’s.

  • WHITE_MAMBA_IS_GOAT

    I guess he misses the practice?

  • Tripledribble

    anyone notice how horrible the game was during the 2 minute screen in screen interview? no baskets, all clangs and some dribbling off the foot… AI definitely could take part in that lol

  • http://www.slamonline.com Redd

    Hmmm maybe my Bulls? I feel like it’s best we tank this season, he may come cheap at a mill if nobody else asks him. Only thing is, I’m not for him returning to the NBA until he apologizes for using his sick daughter as a way of going to that club.

  • Justin G.

    You people who think AI has been blackballed are idiots. Did you ever think that maybe GM’s didn’t want to take the chance on someone who was, the last time he played, a chemistry destroying cancer in the lockerroom? Nobody wanted the headache or nightly distraction. If he really just wants to play ball he’ll take Marbury’s suggestion and go play in the Chinese league.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Red

    Hmmm maybe my Bulls? I feel like it’s best we tank this season, he may come cheap at a mill if nobody else asks him. Only thing is, I’m not for him returning to the NBA until he apologizes for using his sick daughter as a way of going to that club

  • Cameron

    Red, he left the club to attend to his sick daughter. What are you talking about?

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